Bradley inspires Glenstal victory

Glenstal Abbey 10 Rockwell College 3

Stephen O’Leary’s try, brilliantly converted by Luke Bradley 14 minutes into the second half, proved the game’s turning point. Rockwell, with the wind at their backs, dominated the remainder of the tie but were unable to break down Glenstal who were reduced to 14 players in the final minutes after hooker Cal McCarthy was sin binned for a technical foul.

Ronan Maher and James Houlihan, on two occasions, came close to scoring for Rockwell and they scorned the option of taking a couple of kickable penalties as the clock ticked down — instead trying to secure a crucial try.

Glenstal had further try scoring chances, their pack providing quality possession from the breakdown; Rockwell did well to deny Rob Shanahan and impressive captain Ian McCarthy, who led from the front throughout this physically demanding contest.

Bradley opened the scoring with a 16th minute penalty and it was his second half break on the narrow side that paved the way for O’Leary to touch down. Bradley’s conversion from the touchline into the wind was perfectly struck to give his side what proved to be an unassailable lead.

Rockwell hit back quickly with a penalty from Coleman Kennedy but their subsequent efforts were repelled by a dogged Glenstal defence. Rockwell will be consoled that there is a back door system in the competition, but by losing the game they are drawn away from home. They now play the winners of the St. Munchins-PBC game.

All other junior cup fixtures fixed for yesterday, the Crescent-CBC, St. Munchins-PBC and the Castletroy-Ard Scoil Ris clash, were postponed. New dates have yet to be agreed.

GLENSTAL: S Gleeson; I Kennedy, R Shanahan, E Mullen, S O’Leary; L Bradley, A Devereux; K Prendergast, C McCarthy, D Higgins; G Quinn, J Ryan; K Lynch, I McCarthy (capt), M O’Riordan.

Replacement: B Dunne for Ryan (52).

ROCKWELL: D Johnston; G Henry, R Maher, A Lynch, R Boland; C Kennedy, TJ Ryan; W O’Dwyer, K Lyons, E Phelan; J Walsh, D Foley; J Houlihan, S Dwyer (capt), A Butler.

Replacements: L Murchen for Henry, C Looby for O’Dwyer (both 55), P Quirke for Lynch (61)

Referee: B White (IRFU)